Biaggi checks his underarm after winning a race: image is everything.

Max Biaggi showed the improving strength of his Alitalia Aprila RSV4 at the twisty Misano circuit, taking another double victory and extending his series lead over Leon Haslam on the Alstare Suzuki.

The BMW S1000RR also continues to improve, as Troy Corser was fastest in every practice session, took Superpole, then led more than half the first race before falling victim to first Biaggi, then Carlos Checa on his Althea Ducati.

Corser believes the bike is overdue for a win, but was philosophical after the first race: "The track was really slippery compared to this morning, so it took a few laps to get a feel for the tyre and get a good rhythm. I made a mistake and Max came past, I tried a bit too hard and that was about it for me. It was positive all the same because we managed to stay in front for a good while."

He wasn't so lucky in the second race, getting out of shape after missing a downshift while fighting with Checa for fifth on the last lap; he managed to save it and finished 10^th.

Haslam had a set-up problem in the first race and could only manage a seriously annoyed eighth, but the team did some fiddling and in the second race he led a scrambling pack behind Biaggi to keep his title hopes alive.

"We have had a tough weekend and [in the first race] we had a few issues. The team came up trumps for me in race two and we finished in second place behind Max. Second is never good for me behind Max as he is the championship leader but today we will take it."

He also hinted, not too subtly, that a little help from the factory would be appreciated, saying, "Max is riding well and the Aprilia is currently the package to beat, but I'm confident that, as long as we all work hard, we can beat him. We do all our own development work and it's because of all the hard work, that we are competitive. If Suzuki Japan wanted to give us some more help, it would be much appreciated and it would be a great benefit to us all."

Once again, Carlos Checa on the satellite Althea Ducati made the factory team look silly, carding a second and a fifth. The Xerox factory boys of Haga and Fabrizio managed only 7-9 and 4-3 finishes. It's not that a podium in this field is anything to be ashamed of, but the factory bikes should be noticeably faster than the customer machines, and it's just not happening this year.

WSB standings after eight of 13 Events (16 of 26 races);

1. Max Biaggi, Italy, Alitalia Aprilia, 307 points; 2. Leon Haslam, U.K., Alstare Suzuki, 270; 3. Carlos Checa, Spain, Althea Ducati, 172; 4. Jonathon Rea, Ireland, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, 158; 5. Noriyuki Haga, Japan, Xerox Ducati, 151; 6. Troy Corser, Australia, BMW Motorrad BMW, 149; 7. James Toseland, U.K., Sterilgarda Yamaha, 138; 8. Michel Fabrizio, Italy, Xerox Ducati, 131; 9. Leon Camier, U.K., Alitalia Aprilia, 130; 10. Cal Crutchlow, U.K., Sterilgarda Yamaha, 120.

Next event is at Brno in Czechoslovakia July 11.